Sunday, June 30, 2013 PELHAM, Mass. (WWLP) - It's a sad day whenever a church closes its doors for the last time, as it was Sunday for the United Church of Christ in the Hampshire County town of Pelham.
The historic church had played a large role in this town of 1,300 since its first service 173 years ago. But dwindling attendance compounded by declining collections doomed the church's ability to continue serving the town. Tiny Sawicki, whose family had come to Pelham when she was just a year old, had worshipped here all of her life. "It made me who I am, because it was so a part of growing up,” said Sawicki. “There wasn't a lot to do in town, the church was it.”
im Campbell has been the church organist for 35 years. He looked back on what the church has meant to him. “My family is deeply rooted in this church and this community,” said Campbell. “I've been 35 years as the organist. I've been associated with five wonderful ministers and a lovely congregation.”
“They had held it together, even buying new drapes and keeping things up to date, knowing they wouldn't be able to stay alive for very long,” said Rev. Virginia Bove, a former pastor at the church. “They just kept living a vibrant church life in the face of the end being in sight.”
Which is why Pastor Bove summed up this day as being a celebration as much as a goodbye.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, PELHAM IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED AS OF SUNDAY, JUNE 30,
2013. WE AS ITS MEMBERS THANK YOU FOR YOU SUPPORT, KIND WORDS, FRIENDSHIP AND WELL
WISHES, THIS WEBSITE WILL OFFICIALLY CLOSE AT THE END OF JULY 2013!
MANY THANKS TO CHANNEL 22 AND 40 FOR DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB OR REMEMBERING THIS
HISTORIC CHURCH! PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO VIEW THE STORY!